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Creative Flagstaff outlines exhibitions, youth programs and grant awards
Summary
Creative Flagstaff presented its FY2026 programming at the March 9 Beautification and Public Art Commission meeting, reporting record youth participation, expanded professional development, and $490,000 awarded in general operating support plus $125,000 in project grants this cycle.
Julie Knik, executive director of Creative Flagstaff, told the Beautification and Public Art Commission on March 9 that Creative Flagstaff and the Cookina Center for the Arts (CCA) delivered a broad slate of exhibitions, performances and grant programs during fiscal 2026.
Knik highlighted touring and local exhibits — including the 2020 project "Parch, the art of water in the southwest," which recently was shown at a Phoenix museum — and two Route 66–themed exhibitions featuring documentary photographer Edward Keading and Portland artist Wes Pope. The CCA also hosted satellite shows, including a Klein Library special collections display celebrating Route 66 diversity.
Knik said CCA runs more than 10 exhibitions annually across the main gallery, project gallery and satellite venues. Community activations include a biennial nine‑hole miniature‑golf fundraiser created by artists and community groups; Knik said the course helps bring new visitors into the gallery.
On youth engagement, Knik said the program included 510 works by more than 300 young artists this year and now provides K–12 exhibition curricula and year‑round workshops. Creative Flagstaff plans a four‑week sequence of June day camps with scholarship support to ensure participation for youth in need.
Knik also described a busy performance calendar at CCA, professional development offerings for artists and nonprofits (board basics, bylaws, digital marketing, AI for nonprofits, tax awareness), and a countywide artist registry intended to connect artists with businesses seeking public displays.
On grants, Knik said general operating support totaled $490,000 awarded to 39 projects from 43 applicants; project grants awarded $125,000 to 16 projects out of 35 applicants. Knik said staff overhauled application forms to increase accessibility for applicants and reviewers. She added that BIA funding of approximately $125,000 supported more than 20 projects this round and that the commission is discussing an increase to BIA funding.
Commissioners raised questions about reusing prior miniature‑golf elements, outreach for grant workshops and inclusion in ArtWalk convenings. Knik said the miniature‑golf "best of show" pieces were invited back to ensure a full course, grant workshops are recorded for remote access, and staff will check and update contact lists to ensure convening invitations reach community partners.
Knik closed by noting Creative Flagstaff’s role as lead arts agency and grants administrator for Flagstaff City and asked for continued guidance as the city and Creative Flagstaff finalize scopes of work tied to contract funding.
The commission had no immediate votes on Creative Flagstaff’s presentation; staff will bring budget recommendations and contract amendments through the normal budget and council processes.
